Holt urges buying local, national unity in the face of Trump's tariffs

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt urged unity as the country faces tariffs on exports to the United States imposed by President Donald Trump.

On Saturday, the Trump administration announced a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian exports would come into effect this Tuesday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded shortly after by announcing a 25 per cent tariff on American exports into Canada.

"It is time for Canada to stand strong and united against the threat of tariffs," Holt said in a statement posted to Facebook after a first ministers' meeting Saturday evening.

She said her team "will use every tool in our toolbox to defend and support New Brunswickers and put an end to these tariffs." 

In a statement to CBC News on Sunday afternoon, Katie Beers, Holt's press secretary, said the province will "be releasing our full response plan tomorrow."

It appears a halt on American liquor sales will be a part of that response, as Holt responded Saturday night to a request on the social media platform X to have N.B. Liquor suspend all orders of American products with a succinct answer: "Done."

In Nova Scotia, Premier Tim Houston announced Saturday night that the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation would remove American alcohol from its store shelves. Houston also announced increased tolls on U.S. commercial vehicles using the Cobequid Pass.

Holt said New Brunswick needs to "buy local, and get to work seizing the opportunities we have across New Brunswick and our country."

There is sadness in border communities that have strong ties.

Allan MacEachern, the mayor of St. Stephen, said he understands the push to support local, but many people in his community have friends and neighbours across the border.

"It is so disturbing to see us have to retaliate this way," said MacEachern. 

"When we retaliate, we're hurting those people because of the bold move from that president over there. That's disturbing and it hurts. We're like family. It's like having a fight with family and no matter what you do it hurts.

Business groups stress buying local

Chambers of commerce across the province are urging New Brunswickers to buy local products when it comes to responding to tariffs.

Morgan Peters, the CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, said New Brunswickers should remain calm and focus on domestic growth.

"We're also encouraging folks not to think of it as a four-year problem," said Peters, referring to the length of Trump's second term in office. 

"It really feels like a shift, a long-term shift and we need to align our thinking along with that."

Anthony Azard, the CEO of the Cap-Acadie Chamber of Commerce, said the tariffs could impact dozens of jobs in an area known for tourism and seafood.

He said while the domestic market isn't anywhere near as large as the U.S. market, it's important to support local businesses whenever possible.

"Every small step will be important at this point," said Azard.

"Our businesses that are around the corner that are supporting our communities that are supporting soccer, hockey, dance teams across the region that gives money back to the community. They need to be supported first and foremost."

Peters agrees that supporting local is key, but said there needs to be some nuance.

"A great example are local car dealerships," said Peters.

"Their products, they have no choice but to come from the U.S., but they employ a lot of folks locally, support the economy locally, support a lot of groups locally."

View from Maine

In Maine, reviews are mixed.

Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, said she was "deeply concerned" about Trump's tariffs, "especially those on Canada."

"Canada is Maine's largest trading partner and our economy is deeply intertwined with Canada's economy," Mills said in a statement on her website.

"Maine businesses and Maine people rely on Canada not just to sell and purchase goods, but as a major source for energy, from heating fuel to gasoline to natural gas to electricity."

Meanwhile, Democrat Jared Golden, the U.S. representative for Maine's 2nd congressional district, was largely supportive of the tariffs. His district includes the entire Maine-New Brunwick border.

"I don't agree with Trump on everything, but he's right that the old deal stinks, and we need a new one," Golden said in a statement on his website, seemingly referring to the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement that Trump himself helped negotiate.

"Tariffs push back against decades of free trade and globalization that prioritized low prices above all else."

Producers concerned

Agricultural and aquaculture producers are also concerned about what tariffs will mean for their businesses.

Donald Daigle, the president of the N.B. Cranberries Agency, said between 80 to 90 per cent of cranberries produced in the province, which is the third-largest producer in the country, are exported to the United States.

He said it's too early to tell what this will mean for business, but it doesn't sound good.

"I know the buyers are very nervous at this point like a lot of Canadians are," said Daigle.

Daigle said cranberry producers have more time than with other agricultural producers since they harvest later in the year, but producers are looking at increasing trade with Europe to counteract the American tariff threat.

Meanwhile, Geoff Irvine, the executive director of the Lobster Council of Canada, said since it's the quiet season for lobster producers tariff threats aren't as top of mind, but the longer it lasts, the worse it will be.

"If it lasts into the spring season, which really begins in the middle of April, that's when we'll see the real impacts," Irvine told CBC Nova Scotia.

One area that could particularly hurt would be the export of frozen lobster, which New Brunswick producers rely on.

"We kind of knew this was coming, so most people with frozen inventory have already moved [most of] it into the U.S.," said Irvine.